Philadelphia Union: The battle to remain atop the Eastern Conference

The Philadelphia Union are having a fantastic season, but can they hold on to first place in the Eastern Conference as the pressure continues to mount?

The Philadelphia Union are having an explosive 2019 MLS season. 21 matches into the campaign and they find themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference with ten wins. Much of their success can be attributed to the great run of form early on in the year where they only lost two matches out of fifteen from March 17th to June 8th. However, as the season has picked up steam, the pressure continues to mount. Can the Union hold on to their first place advantage and secure an automatic bid into the MLS Cup Playoff Conference semi-finals?

The Philadelphia Union have been one of the most potent attacking threats in MLS. They recorded 39 goals, which ranks first in the Eastern Conference, and only trail Los Angeles FC’s 50 for the most in the league. The Union also rank second in the league with an average of 5.6 shots on target per match and a total of 117 shots. Los Angeles FC, for comparison, have a resounding average of 6.8 shots on target.

Kacper Przybyłko, the Union’s leading scorer, ranks sixth in MLS with nine goals. Yet, the Union’s production in front of goal does not simply come down to Przybyłko. Rather, the Union have seven players with three or more goals. David Accam, Ilsinho, and Jamiro Monteiro have four goals each. What this represents is not only a concerted effort by coach, Jim Curtin, to utilize the talents of numerous players, but also that such players do not skirt the opportunities.

Curtin was finally rewarded for the impressive work he has done during the season with a contract extension of two years. The Philadelphia Union sporting director, Ernst Tanner, told the media at the press conference announcing Curtin’s contract extension:

"“After half a year in the season now and doing extraordinary well, I think Jim deserves this. He’s a great coach, good on the field, a great leader in the locker room.”"

While Curtin certainly deserved his contract extension based on the success of the first half of this season, the Union have experienced a turbulent past month. The side was dispatched by D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup back in June and drew away to the New England Revolution. Philadelphia then went on to lose to New York City FC, which saw the side concede two penalties in a 4-2 defeat.

Matt Ralph of SBNation’s Brotherly Game, in an interview with The Mane Land contributor, Ben Miller, broke down a few reasons for the lack of recent success for the Philadelphia Union:

"“There is a lot more film on their key newcomers to MLS (Monteiro, Kacper Przybyłko, Kai Wagner, Aaronson, and Santos). They’ve also struggled to break down teams that have bunkered in against them and have struggled at times finishing in front of goal.”"

There are obvious concerns about the viability of remaining the top dog in a hotly contested Eastern Conference. It is easy to see any one of the top six sides finding a way to challenge for the top seed in the MLS Playoffs. For example, the New York Red Bulls currently sit eight points behind but have two games in hand and the opportunity to beat the Union in September.

Five of the Philadelphia Union’s thirteen remaining matches are against clubs in the top four in their respective conferences. Only four of their first 21 matches were against top-four sides as of the July 12th MLS table. The strength of the schedule may have had some impact in the first half of the 2019 season, but it does not mean that the Union’s performances were any less impressive. By the same token, the players need to remain grounded knowing that the true battle will occur over the coming months.

CHESTER, PA – MAY 18: Union Midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (11) reacts to a missed opportunity in the second half during the game between the Seattle Sounders and Philadelphia Union on May 18, 2019 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Curtin may be relieved to know that there is some security with his contract, but the pressure to keep hold of first will surely remain regardless failure to do so would still be considered a great season overall. He addressed this very issue this week, stating:

"“I don’t want this to sound like we’ve accomplished anything yet this year because there’s still a lot of work to do. I don’t want this to be a feeling that now we’re going to take our foot off the gas.”"

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The performance against Orlando last weekend at home was middling at best and may have gotten ahead of themselves in the second game. Even in the first match, Orlando was the better side until Robin Jansson’s red card late in the first half. Overall, the two games against Orlando serve as the perfect reminder for Curtin to wipe clean any complacency that may have crept into the squad.

Although Philadelphia’s goalscoring record has not been as consistent as it was earlier on in the year, the addition of striker Andrew Wooten from Bundesliga 2 side SV Sandhausen might just provide the boost the Union need. Wooten found the back of the net 17times in 31 appearances for SV Sandhausen during the 2018/19 season, and even though a period of transition might be in order, the Union believe he could be of use come the final few months.

At the same time, Curtin must continue to emphasize cohesion and grit at the back. Towards the dying days of a season and the throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs, players can easily become tired and prone to mistakes. There is no shock there, but it is important to remember that defensive lapses or silly turnovers in the middle of the park could be the death of even the most successful team.

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It would be a reasonable proclamation to state that the Union could fall off their pedestal and settle between the third and sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. It is also not inconceivable that they can push through and nab the top spot for the first time in their MLS history. The quality and popularity of the league has changed quite dramatically since that time, and as such, it would be an impressive statement should the Union finish the year strong.

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